Sunday’s Big Fantasy Matchups for Pats-Rams

Avery has had key pass receptions of 40-plus yards in both of the Rams’ victories on the past two Sundays. O’Neal has struggled in a Patriots secondary that has been vulnerable for much of this season. If the pass protection holds up for quarterback Marc Bulger, Avery’s game-changing speed could be put to good use on Sunday in Foxborough.

Rams C Nick Leckey vs. Patriots NT Vince Wilfork

Any success the Rams have running between the tackles may depend on of Leckey can handle Wilfork, a disruptive 325-pounder who anchors the middle of New England’s front seven. Leckey, who wasn’t even assured of a roster spot entering training camp, has held up surprisingly well as the Rams’ starting center. The Patriots mark the second straight 3-4 alignment the Rams will face. Leckey has some experience blocking with a defender right over him after playing in the Dallas Cowboys game last week.
Patriots OTs Matt Light and Nick Kaczur or Mark LeVoir vs. Rams DEs Chris Long and Leonard Little

Despite his best game as a starter against the Broncos, New England quarterback Matt Cassel was still sacked six times. He has been taken down 25 times in six games – or four more times than Tom Brady (knee) was sacked all of last year. Some of it is Cassel’s lack of mobility, and some of it is that the New England O-line just isn’t as good as it seemed like it was last year, with Brady. The more Cassel is taken down, the more likely it is that he might also suffer an injury. Long and Little have combined for 6.5 of the Rams’ 14 sacks.